WO2022264107A1

WO2022264107A1 - Boat with photovoltaic system

Info

Publication number: WO2022264107A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/055649
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Monacelli
Original assignee: Paolo Monacelli
Priority date: 2021-06-17
Filing date: 2022-06-17
Publication date: 2022-12-22
Also published as: IT202100015938A1

Abstract

A boat (100) comprises: a hull (1), a rollable/extendable photovoltaic module assembly (2) and an electrical system (4) connected to the rollable/extendable photovoltaic module assembly (2) for using the electrical power produced by the rollable/extendable photovoltaic module assembly (2); the rollable/extendable photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises an unwinding/winding unit (23) disposed in the stern (11) of the hull (1), and a plurality of rollable/extendable flexible photovoltaic modules (20) that are joined to each other in such a way to form a strip (21) that is wound in the unwinding/winding unit (23); wherein, when it is unwound from the unwinding/winding unit (23), the strip (21) of rollable/extendable photovoltaic modules is disposed on a water surface behind the stern (11) of the boat; said photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises a plurality of pulling assemblies (3) that operate on the strip (21) in such a way that said strip (21) is curved in overturned-U configuration when it is unwound from said unwinding/winding unit (23).

Description

BOAT WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a boat with energy storage from a photovoltaic system; in particular hybrid boats powered by solar energy and fossil fuels, and more specifically of those boats equipped with a photovoltaic system to power and propel the boat.

More and more frequently, photovoltaic systems are installed onboard on the fixed parts of the boat to power the electric motors of the boat in such a way to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

The reasons that lead the owners of the boats to choose such an environmentally friendly option go from the desire to take advantage of environmentally friendly renewable energy to the need to reduce fuel costs.

US 10875608 B2 discloses a photovoltaic system in which photovoltaic modules are mounted on board a vessel, taking advantage of the free surfaces of the vessel. A drawback related to such a solution is that the surfaces of the vessel that can be used to accommodate the photovoltaic modules are often limited.

WO2017061968A1 discloses a vessel comprising a hull and a plurality of photovoltaic modules wound around a winding/unwinding reel disposed at the stern of the hull. Thus, WO2017061968A1 discloses a vessel like in the preamble of claim 1.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a photovoltaic system that provides a larger photovoltaic surface compared to the usable surfaces of the boat. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a versatile photovoltaic system, which is easy to use and suitable for being used both when the boat is in navigation and when the boat is stationary, without hindering the maneuverability of the boat. These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features listed in the appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.

The boat according to the invention is defined by claim 1. For explanatory clarity, the description of the boat according to the invention continues with reference to the appended drawings, which are for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of the boat with a photovoltaic module assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of the photovoltaic module assembly that shows an unwinding/winding unit;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of a photovoltaic module assembly that shows a pulling assembly;

Fig. 4A is a front view of the portion of the photovoltaic module assembly with the pulling assembly of Fig. 3, in extended position;

Fig. 4B is the same view as Fig. 4A, except for the fact that it shows the portion of the photovoltaic module assembly in curved position;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a strip of photovoltaic modules; Fig. 6 is a block diagram that shows a wiring of the photovoltaic modules to DC electrical devices; and

Fig. 7 is a block diagram that shows a wiring of the photovoltaic modules to AC electrical devices.

With reference to the appended figures, a boat is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference number 100.

Referring to Fig. 1 , the boat (100) comprises a hull (1) and a photovoltaic module assembly (2) mounted in the hull. The hull (1) comprises a bow (10) and a stern (11 ). The photovoltaic module assembly (2) is mounted in the stern (11) of the boat. The photovoltaic module assembly (2) is a photovoltaic module assembly of roll-up type, that is to say that such an assembly comprises a thin strip of photovoltaic modules that can wound onto a roll and unwound from the roll in order to be disposed in a planar configuration.

Although it is not shown in the appended figures, the photovoltaic module assembly (2) can be accommodated in a housing formed in the hull (1 ) in the stern (11 ) of the boat (100).

Referring to Fig. 2, the photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises:

- a winding/unwinding unit (23) arranged in the stern (11 ) of the hull

(1 )

- a strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules that is wound in the winding/unwinding unit (23).

The strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules (20) of flexible type with quadrangular shape connected to each other.

A photovoltaic module (20) consists in a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected to each other.

The photovoltaic modules (20) are electrically connected to each other by means of electrical wires.

Referring to Fig. 5, the photovoltaic modules (20) can be mounted on a flexible supporting belt (27). In such a case, the electrical wires are embedded in the supporting belt (27), for example, by means of conductive tracks.

The winding/unwinding unit (23) comprises:

- a frame (25) mounted in the stern (11 ) of the hull (1 );

- a roller (24) rotatably mounted on the frame (25), so as to rotate around an axis (Y);

- drive means (26) mounted on the frame (25) and connected to the roller (24) so as to rotate the roller (24).

The strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20) is wound onto the roller (24) so that said strip (21 ) can be wound and unwound by the roller (24).

The winding/unwinding unit (23) can be motorized. In such a case, the drive means (26) comprise an electric motor connected to the roller (23). Alternatively, the winding/unwinding unit (23) can be operated manually; in such a case, the drive means (26) comprise a crank connected to the roller (24).

Although it is not shown in the appended figures, the drive means (26) may comprise an automatic control system.

The strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) is unwound by the winding/unwinding unit (23) and projects posteriorly from the stern (11) of the boat (100) onto the water surface.

It should be considered that the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) has a planar configuration on the water and therefore generates a high friction on the water due to a high friction surface.

Referring to Fig. 3, the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) comprises two lateral edges (L1, L2) and a plurality of pulling assemblies (3) suitable for pulling the lateral edges (L1 , L2) of the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20), in such a way to curve the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) in overturned-U configuration. In this way, only the lateral edges (L1 , L2) of the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) will touch the water surface, considerably reducing the friction between the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) and the water. The pulling assemblies (3) are spaced far enough apart to ensure a continuity of the curved shape of the strip (21).

The pulling assembly (3) can be disposed in two positions: an extended position, wherein the portion of strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20) with the pulling assembly (3) has a planar configuration, and a shortened position, wherein the portion of strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) with the pulling assembly (3) has a curved configuration.

The pulling assembly (3) comprises a return spring (30) connected to a first lateral edge (L1 ) of the strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20), and a cable (31) connected to the return spring (30) and to a second lateral edge (L2) of the strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20).

The loading of the return spring (30) is selected in such a way that, under normal conditions, the cable (31 ) is recalled by the return spring (30), the pulling assembly (3) is in shortened configuration, and the strip (21 ) is in curved configuration, as shown in Fig. 4B.

Referring to Fig. 4A, when the strip (21 ) is wound around the roller (24), an extension force is exerted on the cable (31), which overcomes the elastic return force of the return spring (30). As a result, the strip (21 ) is extended over the roller (24) and the pulling assembly (3) goes to the extended configuration.

Referring to Fig. 4B, when the strip (21 ) is unwound from the roller (24), the return spring (30) recalls the cable (31 ), the pulling assembly (3) goes to the shortened configuration and the strip (21 ) goes to the curved configuration.

The photovoltaic module assembly (2) also comprises a float system (5) connected to the strip (21 ) to make the strip (21 ) float on the water surface.

Advantageously, the float system (5) comprises floats (50, 51 ) disposed in the lateral edges (L1 , L2) of the strip (21 ).

The floats (50, 51 ) can be solid or hollow tubular elements made of floating material, such as plastic material. Alternatively, the floats (50, 51 ) can be hollow tubular elements that are filled with air. In such a case, the floats (50, 51 ) are inflated during the unwinding of the strip (21 ) and are deflated during the winding of the strip (21 ).

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the boat (100) comprises an electrical system (4) connected by means of power cables to the strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20) for using the electric energy produced by the strip (21 ) to power electrical devices (6) of the boat.

Although it is not shown in the attached figures, the wiring of the modules (20) can be embedded in the supporting belt (27) of the photovoltaic modules (20).

The electrical system (4) may comprise a storage device (40) for storing electrical energy.

The electrical system (4) may comprise a charge regulator (41 ) to regulate the power charge of the electrical devices (6). The photovoltaic modules (20) produce DC electricity.

Referring to Fig. 6, if the electrical devices (6) require DC power supply, the electrical system (4) can directly power said electrical devices (6). In such a case, the electrical devices (6) may comprise a DC electric motor (60) to propel the boat (100).

Referring to Fig. 7, if the electrical devices (6) require AC power supply, the electrical system (4) must comprise an inverter (42) to convert the DC electricity produced by the photovoltaic modules (20) into AC electricity for the electrical devices (6). In such a case, the electrical devices (6) may comprise an AC electric motor (61 ) to propel the boat.

Obviously, the DC electric motor (60) or the AC electric motor (61) can be in addition to a conventional internal combustion engine of the boat (100).

Numerous variations and modifications of detail may be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in the art, but still within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Boat (100) comprising: a hull (1 ) having a bow (10) and a stern (11); a photovoltaic module assembly (2); and an electrical system (4) connected to the photovoltaic module assembly (2) for using the electrical power produced by the photovoltaic module assembly (2); wherein said photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises:

- an unwinding/winding unit (23) disposed in the stern (11) of the hull (1), and - a plurality of flexible photovoltaic modules (20) that are joined to each other in such a way to form a strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) that is wound in said unwinding/winding unit (23) and has a first lateral edge (L1) and a second lateral edge (L2); wherein, when it is unwound by the unwinding/winding unit (23), said strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules (20) is disposed on a water surface behind the stern (11 ) of the boat; characterized in that said photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises a plurality of pulling assemblies (3), wherein each pulling assembly (3) is connected to said first lateral edge (L1) and second lateral edge (L2) of the strip (21 ) of photovoltaic modules in such a way to pull the lateral edges (L1 , L2) of the strip of photovoltaic modules (20), so that the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20) is curved in overturned-U configuration when it is unwound by said unwinding/winding unit (23).

2. The boat (100) of claim 1 , wherein said unwinding/winding unit (23) comprises: - a frame (25) mounted in the stern (11) of the hull (1), a roller (24) revolvingly mounted on the frame (25), in such a way to rotate around an axis (Y); and drive means (26) mounted on the frame (25) and connected to the roller (24) in such a way to rotate the roller (24).

3. The boat (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein each photovoltaic module (20) of the photovoltaic module assembly (2) has a quadrangular shape.

4. The bot (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said photovoltaic modules (20) are mounted on a flexible supporting belt (27).

5. The boat (100) of claim 4, wherein electrical wires for the electrical connection of the photovoltaic modules (20) are embedded in the supporting belt (27).

6. The boat (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pulling assembly (3) comprises a return spring (30) connected to the first lateral edge (L1) of the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules and a cable (31) connected to the return spring (30) and to the second lateral edge (L2) of the strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20).

7. The boat (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic module assembly (2) comprises a float system (5) comprising floats disposed in the lateral edges (L1 , L2) of said strip (21) of photovoltaic modules (20)

8. The boat (100) of claim 7, wherein said floats (50, 51 ) are solid or hollow tubular elements made of rubber.

9. The boat (100) of claim 8, wherein said floats (50, 51 ) are hollow tubular elements that are filled with air.